Mice are one of the most common household pests in the Treasure Valley, and they can enter a home through openings as small as 1/4 inch. Once inside, they chew wiring, contaminate food, damage insulation, and reproduce quickly—turning a small problem into a costly infestation in just a few weeks.
Most homeowners don’t actually see mice at first. Instead, they notice subtle early warning signs. Knowing what to look for can help you detect an infestation early and avoid extensive damage to your Boise-area home.
How to Tell If You Have a Mouse Infestation
Mice are experts at staying hidden, but they leave behind clear indicators of activity. The most reliable signs include:
1. Droppings
Mouse droppings are one of the first and most common signs. They are:
- Small (1/8–1/4 inch), dark, and pointed at both ends
- Often found along baseboards, inside cabinets, pantries, garages, and under sinks
- Typically clustered near food sources or travel routes
Fresh droppings are soft and dark; older droppings become gray and crumbly.
2. Urine Trails & Odor
Mice use urine to mark territory and communicate. Heavy infestations often create a musty or ammonia-like odor. In dusty areas, faint streaks may appear along walls and baseboards.
3. Gnaw Marks
Mice must chew constantly to keep their teeth trimmed. Common signs include:
- Chewed food packaging (cardboard, plastic, or paper bags)
- Gnaw marks on wood, insulation, or stored items
- Chewed electrical wiring, which creates a serious fire risk
Clean edges suggest recent activity; rough edges may indicate older damage.
4. Scratching or Scurrying Sounds
Hearing scratching, rustling, or scurrying sounds inside walls, ceilings, or floors—especially at night—is a strong indicator of active mice.
5. Nesting Materials
Mice shred soft materials such as paper, fabric, insulation, and pet bedding to build nests. These are often found in:
- Attics
- Basements
- Garages
- Behind appliances
- Wall voids accessed through small gaps
6. Tracks & Grease Marks
Repeated travel along the same paths leaves grease marks, smudges, or dust trails where mice brush against walls and surfaces.
Where Mice Hide Inside Your Home
Mice select nesting areas based on warmth, safety, and access to food. Inside Treasure Valley homes, common hiding spots include:
- Kitchen pantries and cabinets
- Attics and insulation voids
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Garages and storage areas
- Wall voids behind drywall
Because mice can survive on crumbs alone and need very little water, even minor sanitation issues can support a growing population.
What Damage Can Mice Cause?
Mice are highly destructive and can cause:
- Chewed electrical wiring (fire hazard)
- Damaged insulation from tunneling and nesting
- Food contamination from droppings and urine
- Structural damage to wood and drywall
- Strong odors from urine or deceased rodents
Mice can also carry bacteria, parasites, and allergens, making prompt control important for household health.
How to Get Rid of Mice
Because mice reproduce rapidly—up to 60 offspring per year—early intervention is critical.
1. Seal Entry Points
Inspect and seal gaps around:
- Foundations and siding
- Door sweeps and thresholds
- Utility and pipe penetrations
- Attic and crawlspace vents
Steel wool, hardware cloth, and rodent-proof sealants are most effective.
2. Eliminate Food Sources
- Store food in airtight containers
- Clean crumbs and spills promptly
- Seal pet food and remove overnight feeding
- Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids
3. Reduce Clutter
Cluttered garages, basements, and storage areas provide ideal nesting conditions. Organization reduces hiding spots and makes monitoring easier.
4. Use Traps Carefully
Traps can be effective when placed correctly along walls and travel routes, but must be used safely in homes with children and pets.
5. Professional Rodent Control
If mice activity is widespread or recurring, professional rodent control services provide the most reliable long-term solution.
Pestcom Pest Management technicians can identify entry points, remove active mice, install exclusion materials, and set up monitoring to prevent re-infestation.
If you’re seeing signs of mice in your home, contact Pestcom Pest Management to schedule an inspection. Our local team serves homeowners throughout the Treasure Valley and can help protect your home before damage escalates.